LIST: 12 LGBTQ+ activists, creators and artists from Houston to follow online
In celebration of Pride Month, here are 12 artists, creators and activists from Houston with an online social media presence:
Monica Roberts – Activist & writer
Active online since 2006 when she started her blog “TransGriot,” Robert’s writing features stories and news relating to trans women of color and, like her blog, her activism is focused on this too. Though the entries speak to national issues, Roberts also provides commentary on Texas politics. Her activism led to national awards like the 2018 GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Blog.”
Main digital platforms: Twitter, Blogspot and Facebook
Dr. Jonatan Emanuel Gioia – Activist
Argentinian Houston native, Gioia is an activist focused on making health care more equitable for marginalized communities. In addition to teaching and working as a medical researcher, Gioia also serves as the vice-president of “Impulse Group Houston” and an ambassador for “Houston I Am Life.” All of these roles both of which aim to normalize conversations about sexual health in the LGBTQ+ community including discussing PrEP and HIV. PrEP is a preventative medication that decreases the risk of a person without HIV from contracting it.
Main digital platform: Instagram
Melanie Pang – Activist
Pang’s background in social work and advocates for various marginalized groups including those in poverty, LGBTQ+ communities and immigrants. From 2016-2018 she served on the LGBTQ Advisory Board for Houston and worked in a leadership position at The Salvation Army of Houston. Currently, the UH alumna is the Director of Advocacy at the Houston Food Bank.
Main digital platform: Twitter
Veronica “Vee” Ramos – Podcaster
UH graduate student, Ramos hosts a bi-weekly podcast with a different friend about uncomfortable topics in their life called “Grown.” The topics cover a wide array of subjects from reproductive justice to ghosting with the common link being difficult conversations and areas of growth. In June, Ramos, social work student, announced her and returning friend Adriana, professional counselor, are co hosting together. She works as a graphic designer and before podcasting was a part of the Peace Corps.
Main digital platforms: Instagram, Apple Podcasts & SoundCloud
Mackenzie Jewell – Content creator
Jewell has made content online for nearly three years online. Some of the content includes vlogs and social commentary on various pop culture related things. His hobbies of acting, writing and cosplaying are seen in his work as both Jewell’s Tik Tok and Youtube both feature skits. Jewell participates in Tik Tok challenges and remixes too.
Main digital platforms: Tik Tok & YouTube
Annise Parker – Activist
In 2010 Parker became the second woman to serve as Mayor of Houston and the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor of a major American city. Since her departure in 2016, she has continued her advocacy in the LGBTQ+ community and in historical preservation. Parker is also the president of the Victory Fund, an organization dedicated to better representation for LGBTQ+ officials at all levels of government.
Main digital platform: Twitter
Harrison Guy – Activist & dancer
In 2019, Guy became the first Black Grand Marshall in Houston Pride’s 21 year history. He is currently the Artistic Director of the award winning Urban Souls Dance Company, the president of the Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity and serves on the Houston mayor’s LGBTQ+ advisory board. His content online centers around his passions for inclusivity and dance.
Main digital platform: Instagram
Preetika Rajgariah – Visual artist
Rajgariah is a Houston based visual artist whose work explores intersections of culture and identities. She has participated in artist residencies and had her work show across the U.S., including spaces in Houston like Art League Houston and the Lawndale Art Center. In addition to her main instagram where she shows her artwork, Rajgariah shares @TwoDykesAndAKnife with fellow LGBTQ+ Houston artist, Olivia Lovie, in which they make food together.
Main digital platform: Instagram
Blackberri – Performer & activist
Blackberri is a bearded drag queen host who has accumulated awards for their performing and makeup work. They were one of the queens who volunteered at the Houston Public Libraries Drag Queen Story Time. Social distancing due to COVID-19 has Blackberri performing online in various group events on Instagram and Twitch.tv. Their social media features lip syncing and make up art.
Main digital platforms: Instagram & Tik Tok
Jackson Neal – Poetry
In 2019, Neal served as the Youth Poet Laureate for Houston and the National Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador for the Southwest. Neal’s art and advocacy are intertwined as their addresses topics like sexuality, gender, violence and loss. Currently they are a First Wave Scholar at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.
Main digital platform: Instagram
Cristina Edwards Wells – Musician
Community superstar Christina Wells became known nationwide when she reached the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent (AGT) in 2018. Well’s invitation was the result of her entry to Houston’s 2016 Pride Superstar (a week by week singing LGBTQ+ competition that ended at the Houston Pride Parade) going viral. Since returning home from AGT, she continues to perform in the Houston area and amid COVID-19, she performs mostly online. Well’s repertoire stretches across genres, but she is recognized for her soul and gospel performances.
Main digital platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube
Antonio Arellano – Activist
Arellano is the interim director of Jolt, a non-profit organization focused on mobilizing young Latinx voters in Texas. This UHCL alum was featured on The Signal’s Most Fascinating People of UHCL in 2018 for his activism. His social media platforms is another place he shares his information and call-to-actions regarding human rights.
